License plate



July 15 1924. 1,501,839

C. D. CRASE LICENSE PLATE Filed April 30, 1923 U/zarlesfi 6 712.39

WITNESS: ATTORNEY INVENTOR 4 Pia-mainl 15, 1924.

UNITEDv STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LICENSE PLATE.

Application filed April 30, 1823'. Serial No. 685,708.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, CHARLES D. Cnasn, a citizen of the United States, residing at J onesdale, in the county of Iowa and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in License Plates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in license plates, such as are commonly used for the identification of automobiles and other vehicles.

An object of the present invention is to providea license plate of novel construction, by means of which the number and other data may be changed from time to time as required, without necessitating the substitution of an entirely new plate, so that much valuable material and unnecessary expense will be saved.

Another object of the invention is the pro-' vision of a license plate which includes a frame or holdercapable of being pressed or stamped from light sheet metal and formed so as to provide a light, cheap holder which I will embody the requisite amount of rigidity.

-With the above and other objects in view,

the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction,

to be hereinafter more fully described, illus- 0 trated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim. 7

In the drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of the invention.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of one end of the back section of the frame or holder.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 4--4 of Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the reference character 10 indlcates one section of a frame or holder which is designed to contain a plurality of panels 11 and which forms the front section of the frame or holder. This frame or holder is preferably stamped or otherwise formed from sheet metal so as to provide a cheap, light and durable construction, being substantially L-shaped in cross section as shown in Figure 4 so as to provide for the recepor other suitable fastening devices.

tion of the panels 11 and to lend the required amount of rigidity to the frame. The section 10 has extending from its opposite longitudinal edges, spaced apertured clamping cars 12, while the inner face of the front section 10 is provided with a groove 13.

The back section of the frame which is indicated at 14 is also formed of sheetv metal and is substantially flat. This section has extending from its opposite side edges spaced apertured clamping cars 15, which, when the sections of the frame or holder are assembled, will contact with the ears 12 so as to provide for the passage of clamping bolt sr 1116 e back section 14 of the frame or holder has also extending around its inner face a groove 17 and this groove and the groove 13 are designed to receive suitable packing strips 18. When the sections of the frame or holder are assembled as illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings, the front and back sections co-operate to provide a groove for the reception of the panelsll with the opposed inner faces of the groove provided with a packing strip 18 which engages the opposite faces of the panels to hold them securely in place and prevent rattling.

In addition, the back section 14 of the frame or holder has extending from its opposite ends apertured cars 19 which are designed to accommodate suitable fastening devices so as to provide means whereby the license plate may be attached.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appended 90 claim.

Having described the invention what is claimed is In a license plate, a frame formed from sheet metal and including a front section of substantiall L-shaped cross section, spaced apertured c amping ears extending parallel to and spaced from the front edge of the front section, a back section, spaced apertured clamping ears extending from the op- 100 posite edges of the back section for clampmg engagement with the clamping ears of Q menses the front section, fastening devices extfil dgrooves, pecking strips positioned Within ing through said ears to hold the front and the oppositely disposed grooves for contact back sections assembled and provide a with the opposite feces of the panels and 1 groove which extends entirely around the attaching ears extending from the beck seo- 6 frame, removable panels positioned within tion. of the frame.

said groove, the opposed Walls of the groove In testimony whereof E afiix my signature. being provided with oppositely disposed CHARLES D. CHASE. 

